US Ambassador Visits Aurum Pop Inn in Tshwane

Aurum Pop Inn recently had the privilege of hosting Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety II, the 29th United States Ambassador to South Africa, at their Loftus Park clinic in Tshwane.

Aurum Pop Inn operates fixed clinic sites across South Africa, in locations such as Tshwane, Kempton Park, Nelspruit, Pietermaritzburg, and eThekwini, serving Gay, Bisexual and Queer Men, and other Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), and Transgender (TG) people.

These clinics provide vital health services, including HIV, STI, and TB screening, PrEP, ART, and psychosocial support. Gender-affirming health care, including hormonal therapy, is also available.

Ambassador Brigety was accompanied by key members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including Dr. John M. Blandford, CDC Country Director; Saira Johnson-Qureshi, Deputy Country Coordinator; Helen Savva, Key Populations (KP) Lead/Public Health Specialist; Dr. Jennifer Drummond, HIV Prevention Branch Chief; and Zihle Mapumulo, Associate Director for Policy and Communications at the CDC.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Aurum’s leadership team, consisting of Dr. Njeri Kamere, Managing Director: Health Systems; Jacqueline Pienaar, KP Technical Director; Matshidiso Chabane, KP Senior Programme Manager; and Kanya Ndaki, Communications Director.

The visit affirmed Aurum’s commitment to providing free sexual health services to marginalised groups.

The visit also underscored the challenges MSM and TG populations face in accessing healthcare due to widespread stigma and discrimination in traditional clinical settings.

Many in these communities avoid seeking medical care due to fear of rejection or mistreatment, leading to significant health disparities. Aurum Pop Inn addresses these barriers by offering a welcoming and safe space, managed by MSM and TG staff members, fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring more equitable healthcare access.

Ambassador Brigety’s visit highlighted the strong collaboration between the United States and South Africa in addressing the health needs of vulnerable populations. Inclusive initiatives like Aurum Pop Inn are dramatically improving access to health services for MSM and TG communities.

If you are in the Tshwane, Ehlanzeni, Ethekwini, Ekurhuleni, and Umgungundlovu areas, Pop Inn offers free sexual health services to men who have sex with men and transgender women including counselling, screening for HIV, STIs, and TB, provision of PrEP or ART, and psycho-social support. For contact details for your nearest Pop Inn location, click to https://popinn.org/locations.